2014 Belmont Stakes Contenders: Kid Cruz

Belmont Stakes Contender Kid Cruz

The son of 1999’s Belmont Stakes winner, Lemon Drop Kid, Belmont Stakes contender Kid Cruz will face Preakness Stakes alumni California Chrome, Social Inclusion, Ride On Curlin, and General a Rod, along with rival Matuszak in the Belmont Stakes. Bred by Machner Hall and owned by Vina Del Mar Thoroughbreds and Black Swan Stable, the Kentucky bred colt has dad’s good genes working in his favor for the Belmont Stakes distance. While he may have Matuszak in the bag, he’s going to have to really kick his speed into top gear, but keep a close watch on his revolutions early on in the race in order to keep the motor running smoothly and have enough fuel left in the tank to cross the wire with the leaders.

2014 Starts: 4-2-1-0
Jockey: Julian Pimentel
Career Starts: 6-3-1-0
Trainer: Linda Rice

Preakness Stakes [1 3/16 mile] – 8th Place  (California Chrome-1st, Ride On Curlin-2nd, Social Inclusion-3rd)
Federico Tesio Stakes [1 1/16 mile]–1st Place -Final time 1:47.38 – (Matuszak-2nd)
Private Terms Stakes [1 1/8] – 1st Place – Final time 1:54.82 – (Matuszak-3rd)

Workout Times:
May 30th [6-Furlongs, Breezing, Dirt Training] 1:14.53
April 2nd [5-Furlongs, Breezing, Dirt] 1:02.02

Bloodlines:
Sire: Lemon Drop Kid 1999 Belmont Stakes winner
Great Grand Sire: Seattle Slew 1977 Triple Crown winner

Distant Bloodlines Placed In Belmont Stakes: Northern Dancer-3rd (1964)

Race Videos

Preakness Stakes – 8th

Federico Tesio Stakes – 1st

Private Terms Stakes – 1st

Photo: © Jim McCue